Socialized costs, privatized profits. Fuck 'em. Either have the sufficient capital to begin a business here on your own, in which case go ahead and keep your share of the profits, or if you're going to rely on the taxpayer for even a fraction of investment, then you owe the taxpayer a direct return.

you ignore the key questions.

1. why isn't this privately financed? lenders have a TON of cash. what do they know, that we don't know?

2. if we're the key component, why are we settling for just a measly 6% return instead of that plus an upside equity position? key venture capitalists are supposed to get the 1,0000% upside potential.

3. how are we protected form risk if ballmer and hansen aren't giving personal guarantees, with a pledge to maintain certain cash and asset positions and to report regularly? ArenaCO can declare bankruptcy, void a lease in bankruptcy, default, etc.

4. if to be truly risk free we need that personal guarantee, why aren't they just financing it out of their own pockets?

5. even if the above is answered, how is this more important than roads, schools, health generally, why is it govt. business to help billionaires get rich team ownership changes, to help millionaire ball players and to help the upper and middle class who pay $100 a night for tickets?

@Booker well to answer your questions 1) it would take more $ to tear down & build back up KeyArena not to mention they'd still need a place to play in the meantime (No the Tacoma Dome isn't an option) 2) the difference between a new Microsoft/ Amozon building and this is those companies wouldn't build their building then give it to the city to own and the pay the city monthly rent for it which is what happens in this arena deal. Let's say you (the city) had your XBOX (Sonics) stolen from your home and I (Hansen) was pissed too because I used to come over and play w/ you. So I say I'll buy you a new XBOX if you buy the contollers for it seperatly. Not only that but I'll reimburse you for them when I get paid next AND buy you new games not to mention cover any costs if the new XBOX or games don't work properly just so we can play together like the old days. You mean to say you'd have a problem loaning me the $ for the controllers? That sounds awfully short sighted no? This scenario is very similar to what I've described here.

@ KeyQuestions those questions on garaunteed money are answered in the MOU see www.sonicsarena.com for more detail. As for the question of why we could use those bonds for a school or road is because the bond must be paid back and schools/roads don't generate the revenue to do so it's not the same type of transaction not to mention the city will make additional money past what is bonded out well past the time the bond is repaid